And had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire. So his parable is the parable of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out. Such is the parable of the people who reject Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect

Al Kahf 18: 18

And you would have thought them awake, whereas they were asleep. And We turned them on their right and on their left sides, and their dog stretching forth his two forelegs at the entrance [of the Cave or in the space near to the entrance of the Cave (as a guard at the gate)]. Had you looked at them, you would certainly have turned back from them in flight, and would certainly have been filled with awe of them

Al Kahf 18: 22

(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; and (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, guessing at the unseen; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say (O Muhammad SAW): “My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few.” So debate not (about their number) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you). And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture, Jews and Christians) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave. (22)

حمار – Keldai

Al Baqarah 2: 259

Or like the one who passed by a town and it had tumbled over its roofs. He said: “Oh! How will Allâh ever bring it to life after its death?” So Allâh caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again). He said: “How long did you remain (dead)?” He (the man) said: “(Perhaps) I remained (dead) a day or part of a day”. He said: “Nay, you have remained (dead) for a hundred years, look at your food and your drink, they show no change; and look at your donkey! And thus We have made of you a sign for the people. Look at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh”. When this was clearly shown to him, he said, “I know (now) that Allâh is Able to do all things.” (259)

Jumua 62: 9

The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurât (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey which carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations) of Allâh. And Allâh guides not the people who are Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers). (5)

Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allâh has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers) with Him. (14)

We did some tests from the words we learned in the Madinah Arabic Book. You may find it here and here and here.

I also customised the tests for them by asking them to translate the words from the Malay language to arabic

It was short and fun. I got to correct the way they actually write the letters and also some spelling mistakes. Alhamdulillah.

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We also make a simple test from our lessons on the CAKE. I write down a simple arabic and asked them to get me the unknown words in arabic.

Then come the fun part is to apply it to actual things. What better way to do it than to actually be in the kitchen? We did not bake cakes though, but instead we made cookies and learn a few new words as well.

And also the word أ which is one of the question form which may mean is it or is there or does it? Depending on the sentence. In Malay it can be translated to Adakah. The respond to this question is either a yes or a no. Thus we learned two more new words نعم and لا

I am thinking of introducing Arabic as one of the subjects in our halaqah classes Insya Allah.

For my eldest son, he has the opportunity to speak with some of his friends and also his sheikh who doesn’t speak English at all. He is also slowly following the arabic lessons given by Brother Nouman Ali Khan in bayyinah Insya Allah. Once in a while (we haven’t done it for a long time though), we will be following Brother Fahd Al Tahiri in his Sarf lessons. May we be steadfast.

So I am thinking of introducing simple arabic to my other children aged 11 and 8 (in Year 2013). I do not know where to start so have been looking around for a good syllabus and resources.

My children can write in the arabic font Insya Allah and can read fairly well if it has harakat on it. However, they do not know what it means like most of us. Allah Mustaan. Nor can they speak the language.

I am not so good myself but am slowly taking arabic lessons at a local centre where I live.

For now I will be combining the course in the Madinah Arabic books and the resources that I found HERE.

1. Our first lesson is introducing the words هذا and هذه.

2. Then we start going through the vocabularies in the first page of the madinah book. You can find it HERE and HERE.

3. I added some new words based on this cute lesson about The Cake. HERE.

We only took five new words from here which are

الكعكة

أحب امي

السلطانية

المطبخ

الدقبق

We will continue another 5 words next week Insya Allah

4. I introduced the word ما which means what.

5. Then we make simple question samplers with

ما هذا

ما هذه

And played around using the questions in the vocabularies we just learned

I also pointed out the spelling of the words هذا and هذه has no alif after ha even tough we pronounce it long. In the quran there is the alif saghirah to indicate for you to read it long. In standard arabic, there is no alif but we still pronounce it long.

(It is a great Grace and protection from Allâh), for the taming of the Quraish, (1)
(And with all those Allâh’s Grace and Protections for their taming, We cause) the (Quraish) caravans to set forth safe in winter (to the south), and in summer (to the north without any fear), (2)
So let them worship (Allâh) the Lord of this House (the Ka’bah in Makkah). (3)
(He) Who has fed them against hunger, and has made them safe from fear. (4)

It is reported in Tafsir Ibn kathir, that this surah is a continuation of Suratul Feel. However the sahabahs wrote “In the Name of Allah Most Gracious, Most merciful” between the two surahs. This is because if the two are combined the meaning would be “We have destroyed its people in order to gather (Ilaf) of the Quraysh. Allah knows best.

Makkah was an infertile land. No agricultural activity can take place in Makkah. The people of Makkah depend on business where they travel around to do business.

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We made a little craft for Z to put the arabic names for the seasons now that they have learned the arabic word for winter and summer. We are currenly in autumn. Alhamdulillah wonderful weather nowadays.

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The Quraysh took advantage of the seasons in the year to travel. During the hot season of the summer, they would travel to the Shams where the temperature is much cooler. While during the clod season, they would travel to the south where the temperature is moderate.

Let’s look at the average yearly temperature around these regions. We will look at temperature in the month of January which represents the most peak winter. And July which would normaly represent the most peak summer.

Syria which would represent the northern area yaani the Shams. Refer HERE.
January – 6 Celcius
July – 26 celcius

I am slightly doubting on the data at Makkah in July. I reckon it can actually hit 50 celcius or at least 40 plus.

But the gist is, you can see the best place to travel in the mid summer is to the Shams when the temperature is most moderate. And to take advantage of the moderate winter temperature along the jazeera area.

And this was what the quraysh did.

This was all by the Grace of Allah.

To travel around the Arabia at that time was very dangerous for there are bandits everywhere. However no one dared to touch the Quraysh because of their reputation as the caretaker of the House of Allah. This has become more evident after the year of the Elephants.

But they have forgotten that this was a favour given by Allah to them.

Have they not seen that We have made (Makkah) a secure sanctuary, while men are being snatched away from all around them? Then do they believe in Bâtil (falsehood – polytheism, idols and all deities other than Allâh), and deny (become ingrate for) the Graces of Allâh? (Surah Ankaboot 29: 67)

Arabic words learnt in this two ayah

رحلة – Journey

الشِتأ – the winter

الصَيْف – the summer

Activity

Identifying seasons in arabic

spring – الرَّبيع

autumn – الخريف

The protection that the quraysh had when they travel around either during winter or summer are all blessings from Allah. Their elevated status that they are the custodians of Kaabah are also blessings from Allah.

Allah continues in the next verse.

So let them worship (Allâh) the Lord of this House (the Ka’bah in Makkah). (3)

This verse is actually a command from Allah to them to worship Allah, the one who bestows them with all the blessings. Also the one who is the Lord of Kaabah of which the reason of their elevation in status.

Allah reminded the people of Quraysh to worship the Lord of the honoured Kaabah. The holy Kaabah that Allah protected from the elephants. Allah has honoured the Quraysh as the custodian of Kaabah. Because of the Kaabah, Allah has raised the status of the Quraysh among the arabs. Even more so after the Year of the Elephants.

However the Quraysh, has been worshipping false idols and has placed idols around the holy house. Whereas they know Allah is the one who creates them and the one who provides rizq and the one who protects them.

Let us take heed of the lessons. Only ask from Allah. And Only He is to be worshipped.

Allah continues in the next verse on the other blessings that are given to them

1. fed them against hunger

2. Security

The Qurays were blessed by Allah

1. protection of the caravan when they travel for business

2. The advantageous of the seasons throughtout the year

3. Security during the time of harm

4. fed from hunger.

And yet they worship idols who couldn’t do neither good nor harm to them.

Let us reflect on our own well being. More so if we have status, or we are born in a good family and surrounded by “noble” people.

Do we ever stop and think that these are all from Allah. We must continuously thank Him and continuously doing good deeds that pleases Allah.

Arabic words in verse 3 and 4

هذا البيت – this house. In Quran this means Kaabah

جوع – hunger

خَوْف – fear

I am hungry – أنا جَوعن

I am full – أنا شبعان

Things to bring in

Huruf jar – Li, min

Lessons from this surah:

Security is one the greatest blessings

The Sacred House (Al Kaabah) was honoured before Islam and after Islam

And thus the custodian of Kaabah was also honoured by the Arab people.

The livelihood of the people of Makkah was mostly due to the trades.

The Quraysh travel to different places in the season of winter and summer for trade.

Allah has honoured and elevated their status such that their traveling was safe despite the rampant robberies and insecurities within the arab world.

Allah reminded them of the blessings that He has bestowed on them and that they should worship only Him and not the other deities.